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Junior Specialist Position Description in the Siddique Lab
Department of Entomology and Nematology, UC Davis

NATURE AND PURPOSE
The position of Specialist has a narrow focus in a specialized area and provides technical or specialized expertise (e.g., with instrumentation and research equipment or with social science research methods) in the planning and execution of a research project. The Specialist stays apprised of emerging issues and problems and maintains technical competence in the designated area(s) of specialization. Within this defined area and when appropriate, the Specialist is expected to provide mentorship, facilitate teamwork and develop collaborative relationships with colleagues and to supply input into the planning of research and educational programs. Normally, Specialists do not have Principal Investigator (PI) status but may obtain permission by exception and/or collaborate with a PI in preparing research proposals for extramural funding. The Specialist is evaluated for merit and promotion using three basic criteria outlined below.

Overview:

This junior specialist position will support a walnut research project focused on walnut transformation, evaluation of walnut rootstocks for nematode responses, and maintenance of plant and nematode cultures.

The selected candidate will assist with walnut tissue culture and transformation experiments, including preparation of plant materials, media preparation, culture maintenance, and monitoring of transformed tissues. The candidate will also help evaluate walnut rootstocks under nematode challenge conditions, maintain nematode cultures, collect and record experimental data, and support general laboratory and greenhouse activities related to the project.

Experience with plant tissue culture, sterile technique, nematode assays, plant transformation, or greenhouse work is required. The candidate should be organized, detail-oriented, and able to carefully maintain cultures and experimental records.

MAJOR RESPONSIBILITIES AND DESIGNATED AREAS OF EXPERTISE
Research (90%):

• The successful candidate will assist with walnut transformation experiments, including preparation of explants, media preparation, sterile culture maintenance, transformation procedures, selection and regeneration of transformed tissues, and molecular screening of putative transgenic or edited lines.
• Assist with evaluation of walnut rootstocks for responses to nematode infection, including propagation and maintenance of rootstock materials, inoculation with nematodes, monitoring of plant growth and nematode development, sample collection, and data recording.
• Maintain nematode cultures and assist with nematode extraction, counting, inoculum preparation, and assessment of nematode reproduction or root infection under laboratory, growth chamber, or greenhouse conditions.
• Generate figures for publication using MS PowerPoint, BioRender, R, GraphPad Prism, ImageJ, or other appropriate software.
• Document effective planning and execution of research projects through regular participation in laboratory group meetings and research updates.
• Generate figures for publication using MS PowerPoint, BioRender, R, GraphPad Prism, ImageJ, or other appropriate software.
• Document effective planning and execution of research projects through regular participation in laboratory group meetings and research updates.
• Read relevant published literature in the fields of walnut biotechnology, plant tissue culture, plant transformation, rootstock biology, and plant–nematode interactions to assist in planning new research directions.
• Assist the PI and other lab members with laboratory, growth chamber, and greenhouse experiments related to walnut transformation, rootstock screening, and nematode assays.
• Help organize and maintain protocols, experimental records, culture inventories, plant materials, nematode culture records, and research data.
• Assist the PI or other lab members in manuscript preparation, including but not limited to reading academic literature, writing manuscript sections, preparing figures and tables, and revising manuscripts based on conducted work.
• Assist with lab maintenance, including maintaining sterile work areas, tissue culture facilities, greenhouse materials, lab safety records, and chemical inventory records.

Professional competence (5%):
• Present research at weekly lab meetings, regional scientific meetings, or national scientific meetings.
• Participate in/attend weekly lab meetings, joint lab meetings with other labs on campus, and weekly seminars in the Department of Entomology.
• Participate in relevant outreach events.
• Engage with scientific literature and related research to inform research directions and protocols and to contribute to new research.
University and Public Service (5%):
• As a component of university service, the incumbent may be asked to serve on one or more department committees, such as the Department Safety Committee or the Facilities Committee.
• As a public service, the incumbent will be encouraged to participate in outreach activities, such as those held as part of events hosted by the Bohart Museum of Entomology, the Department of Entomology and Nematology, or conducted independently by the Siddique lab. This could include various events aimed at promoting circadian wellness among California stakeholders.
• The Junior Specialist will mentor undergraduate students in the lab.

As a condition of employment, the finalist will be required to disclose if they are subject to any final administrative or judicial decisions within the last seven years determining that they committed any misconduct, are currently being investigated for misconduct, left a position during an investigation for alleged misconduct, or have filed an appeal with a previous employer.

• “Misconduct” means any violation of the policies or laws governing conduct at the applicant’s previous place of employment, including, but not limited to, violations of policies or laws prohibiting sexual harassment, sexual assault, or other forms of harassment, discrimination, dishonesty, or unethical conduct, as defined by the employer.
• UC Sexual Violence and Sexual Harassment Policy
• UC Anti-Discrimination Policy for Employees, Students and Third Parties
• APM - 035: Affirmative Action and Nondiscrimination in Employment

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The University of California is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, age, protected veteran status, or other protected status under state for federal law.

Under Federal law, the University of California may employ only individuals who are legally able to work in the United States as established by providing documents as specified in the Immigration Reform and Control Act of 1986. Certain UC Davis positions funded by federal contracts or sub-contracts require the selected candidate to pass an E-Verify check.

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